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Safeguarding

Park Lane Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well being of all of its pupils. Each pupil’s welfare is of paramount importance. We recognise that some children may be especially vulnerable to abuse.

Safeguarding is defined as:

Protecting children from maltreatment.

Preventing impairment of children’s health or development.

Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the
provision of safe and effective care.

Taking action to enable children in need to have optimum life chances.

(Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2015)

We believe that:

Schools play a key role in the prevention of abuse.

All children have the right to be protected from harm.

Children need support that matches their individual needs, including those
who may have experienced abuse.

Prevent:

Education can be a powerful tool, equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and reflex to think for themselves, to challenge and to debate; and giving young people the opportunity to learn about different cultures and faiths and, to gain an understanding of the values we share. Exploring ideas, developing a sense of identity and forming views are a normal part of growing up.

Park Lane can support young people in this: providing a safe environment for discussing controversial issues and helping young people to understand how they can influence and participate in decision-making. We encourage our students to express their views but also to appreciate the impact their views can have on others, to take responsibility for their actions and to understand that the use of violence to further any cause is criminal.

We also need to recognise that, young people can be exposed to extremist influences or prejudiced views, particular those via the Internet and other social media. Our purpose is to to protect our students from harm and to ensure that they are taught in a way that is consistent with the law and our values.

Awareness of Prevent and the risks it is intended to address are key elements within our safeguarding responsibilities. Staff will be vigilant, identifying and making referrals where appropriate to the relevant agencies, and the school will work with the local safeguarding board to monitor and support any potentially vulnerable pupils.

The accompanying policy and procedures are created in partnership with Calderdale Safeguarding Children Board and seek to create an atmosphere within the school where students feel safe and able to talk freely, believing they will be listened to and valued. Consequently our overall purpose is to safeguard and promote the welfare of the students in our care.